A miscarriage refers to the spontaneous termination of a pregnancy, most commonly occurring in the early stages. If pregnancy ends at any point before 28 weeks (or 20 weeks, depending on some regional guidelines), it is referred to as a miscarriage. When pregnancy stops, the body needs to expel the tissue, which usually results in bleeding similar to a menstrual period. Unfortunately, miscarriages are a common difficulty faced by women, with about 20% of pregnancies ending in miscarriage. In reality, the number could be even higher, as some women may miscarry without realizing it, mistaking it for a delayed or normal period.

Women experiencing a miscarriage often report symptoms such as pelvic cramping, abdominal pain similar to menstrual cramps, and vaginal bleeding.
Miscarriage is a natural phenomenon in human reproduction and, when it occurs occasionally, is unavoidable—a natural evolutionary process of selection.

However, multiple consecutive miscarriages are usually not related to evolution. In most cases, there is an underlying cause that needs to be identified and treated. It is important to note that the majority of women who experience a miscarriage can go on to have successful pregnancies and give birth. Therefore, it is essential to maintain confidence.

Types of Miscarriage

  • Threatened Miscarriage:
    When the body shows warning signs, such as light vaginal bleeding or lower abdominal pain, it may indicate a potential miscarriage. With rest and treatment, the bleeding and pain might stop, and the pregnancy can continue. However, in some cases, the symptoms may worsen, leading to a miscarriage.
  • Incomplete Miscarriage:
    This occurs when some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus. As the body attempts to expel the remaining tissue, bleeding and pain can worsen.
  • Complete Miscarriage:
    All pregnancy tissue is expelled from the body.
  • Missed Miscarriage (Silent Miscarriage):
    Also known as a missed abortion, this occurs when the embryo or fetus stops growing but remains in the uterus. Some women may experience brownish vaginal discharge or lose early pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness and nausea. Often, the condition is only discovered during a routine ultrasound, which is why it is also referred to as a “missed miscarriage.”
  • Recurrent Miscarriage:
    This condition is defined as two or more consecutive miscarriages without a successful pregnancy in between. Some women experience recurrent miscarriages and may require further medical evaluation.
  • Other Types of Pregnancy Loss:
    • Ectopic Pregnancy:
      When the embryo implants outside the uterine cavity, it cannot develop safely, and the pregnancy must be terminated.
    • Blighted Ovum:
      This occurs when a gestational sac forms but no embryo develops. This condition can only be detected via ultrasound, and the pregnancy must be terminated.

Causes of Miscarriage

In most cases, miscarriage is not the woman’s fault and cannot be prevented or stopped. Research shows that the primary cause of miscarriage is chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo, making it non-viable.

Common Causes of Miscarriage Include:

  • Age: Women over 40 have a higher miscarriage rate compared to live birth rates.
  • Anatomical Abnormalities: Such as uterine malformations.
  • Endocrine Disorders: For example, hypothyroidism or luteal phase defects.
  • Infections and Diseases
  • Lifestyle Factors: Such as obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, or drug abuse.
  • Blood Clotting or Immune Disorders

For women with recurrent miscarriages or those of advanced maternal age, genetic screening of embryos is a wise option. Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) is a test conducted before embryos are implanted in the uterus to detect chromosomal or genetic abnormalities. Through screening, only healthy embryos are selected for transfer, reducing the risk of miscarriage due to chromosomal issues.